Legends fuel FIFA World Cup fever

It is a climax experienced quadrennially and enjoyed incomparably. It is one that only the FIFA World Cup™ can deliver.

With the competition’s 19th instalment only 122 days away from kick-off, anticipation is building intensely among football enthusiasts. "Although some critical voices continue to make themselves heard, I have long been convinced that this will be a successful World Cup", said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter at the latest FIFA Football Committee meeting yesterday. A series of footballing legends also expressed their excitement to FIFA.com.

The anticipation is huge. It will be an African World Cup and I'm really looking forward to it, because it’s going to be very colourful and very entertaining.Franz Beckenbauer
“The anticipation is huge,” enthused Franz Beckenbauer, “It’s been this way since the Final Draw in December, when we found out who would be playing who. It will be an African World Cup and I'm really looking forward to it, because it’s going to be very colourful and very entertaining.”

Cameroonian great Roger Milla revealed his ecstasy that Africa is being given the opportunity to play host to the tournament. “In Africa, we are so happy to have received this World Cup - we could not believe we would get it. Every time I come to Zurich, I thank President Blatter for that,” he said.

Mavric: We can reach last 16

When Slovenia compete at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, it will be only their second appearance at global football's top table. On their previous outing at Korea/Japan 2002, then-coach Srecko Katanec's side crashed out at the group stage after defeats by Spain, Paraguay and South Africa.

Slovenia are determined to set the record straight this time round, however, with their confidence boosted by a qualification campaign which included victories over Czech Republic and Poland, as well as UEFA EURO 2008 semi-finalists Russia in the European Zone play-offs.

"It's a great feeling to know you're going to the World Cup," centre-back Matej Mavric, 31, told FIFA.com. "For me, qualifying was my biggest achievement as a player. It was hard work. No one thought we'd do so well at the beginning of the campaign, but we saw our chance and grabbed it with both hands.

It's a great feeling to know you're going to the World Cup. We want to stay in the tournament as long as possible and not have to go home after three matches - that's our main aim.Slovenia defender Matej Mavric
"It was very difficult right from the start, especially with the problems we were having in defence. With time, though, we improved and managed to qualify for the play-offs. Russia are a very good team with some exceptional players, but we were confident, had that bit of luck you need and managed to get there in the end. We have a very close-knit squad and everyone fights for one another. That was the basis for our success in qualifying for South Africa.

Spain set for Poland friendly

Spain will complete their preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ with a friendly against Poland, the Spanish FA confirmed today.

The European champions will host Poland at an as yet unconfirmed venue in Spain on 8 June before heading to South Africa, where Vicente del Bosque's first group match is against Switzerland on 16 June in Durban.

Spain, who face France in Paris on 3 March, also have two other friendlies planned just prior to leaving for the world finals, both of which have already been confirmed by the RFEF last month.

The great American migration

American players, once dismissed as merely athletic and eager role players on the old continent, have been heading across the Atlantic in their numbers of late. It seems Europe - and her biggest leagues - are increasingly recognising the value of the USA’s ever-improving talent pool. Join FIFA.com for a closer look at an intensifying migration of Americans abroad.

Landon Donovan – arguably the best American player of his generation – is currently in his second big-league European loan stint in as many years, lining up alongside international team-mate and goalkeeper Tim Howard for Everton in the vaunted English Premier League. The playmaker, LA Galaxy star and all-time top scorer for the US national team has wasted no time finding his legs at Goodison, either, slotting right into the starting eleven and grabbing his first goal against Sunderland after strong performances in a draw with Arsenal and a 2-0 win over Manchester City, in which he received a standing ovation.

You do your best and hope that a big move to a big club in Europe will come your way. That’s all you can do.USA's Ricardo Clark, recently signed by Eintracht Frankfurt
“His [Donovan’s] work ethic fits in perfectly with the team's and that of David Moyes, and his never-say-die attitude has added some much needed grit to the side,” Simon Paul, editor of NSNO.co.uk – an independent Everton fans website - told FIFA.com. “He has natural ability on the ball and many Evertonians are hoping that his move could become permanent.”

Donovan’s move is proving a happier one than his short loan journey to German giants Bayern Munich in 2009, where he failed to get much first team action or impress the demanding Bavarian faithful. “It’s not always the best idea for American players to go abroad; it’s really up to the individual player to make sure the move is right for him. If you go abroad, you need to play. You don’t help yourself or the national team by going to Europe and sitting on the bench,” he said at the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa in June, where the US turned more than a few heads by beating reigning African champions Egypt and world number-one Spain before stretching Brazil in the final.

Another alumnus of the famous Confederations Cup team currently trying his luck overseas is Ricardo Clark, whose last-gasp tackles and tireless work rate in the shock semi-final win over the Spaniards in Rustenburg caught the eye. The holding midfielder, 26, formerly of two-time MLS champions Houston Dynamo, was snapped up by Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt at the tail end of the January transfer window, joining up with international team-mate Steve Cherundolo – who plays at Hannover 96 – in Germany’s top league. “You’re always hoping to raise your game, every time you play,” Clark told FIFA.com in June at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, still glowing from the foraging performance against the European champions. “You do your best and hope that a big move to a big club in Europe will come your way. That’s all you can do.” Unfortunately for the Atlanta native, his first chance to strut his stuff had to be postponed as he picked up a calf injury and is expected to be out of action for four weeks.

One of injury-hit USA coach Bob Bradley’s young guns who is looking to sidle into the first team is Stuart Holden. A versatile midfielder who can play out wide or in the middle of the park, the Scottish-born Holden, 24, headed for English Premier League strugglers Bolton last week. “He did well in America, had a break, then came here and did some training,” manager Owen Coyle said of the Houston Dynamo man, who will stay with Bolton through to the end of the 2010 Premier League season. “There is no doubt when he is fully fit he is a talented kid. He will get his opportunity like the rest of players."

A steady movement
This latest trio of American players setting sail out for foreign shores is by no means the start of a new trend, but one established and steadily picking up steam over the last two decades as US Soccer grows in stature. After John Harkes broke into the English top flight with Sheffield Wednesday in 1990, more and more American players have been taking their chances abroad. Oguchi Onyewu and Charlie Davies – two of Bradley’s big injury worries for South Africa – recently signed deals with Italian giants AC Milan and French side Sochaux respectively following glowing performances in South Africa last year.

National team stars Clint Dempsey (Fulham), goalkeepers Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves), Jay Demerit (Watford), Jonathan Spector (West Ham) and Jozy Altidore (Hull City) are all excelling alongside Donovan in England. Stars and Stripes captain Carlos Bocanegra is in France with Rennes after a time at Craven Cottage with Fulham, while winger DaMarcus Beasley and up-and-coming centre-half Maurice Edu feature for Glasgow giants Rangers. Eddie Johnson and Freddy Adu – who have had tricky times of late in England and Portugal respectively – have both headed out on loan to Greek club Aris Thessaloniki in the hope of putting their names to the fore before the USA boss finalises his squad for the trip to the biggest show on earth this June.

Source: FIFA.com

Simao: We have the toughest group

Nigeria boss Amodu sacked

Nigeria football bosses on Friday announced the sacking of coach Shaibu Amodu, publishing a short-list of coaches they hope will lead the 'Super Eagles' through the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Amodu had been under pressure even before Nigeria's disappointing third-place finish at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which ended with Egypt's third consecutive victory last week.

The Nigeria Football Federation's short-list is topped by Dutchman Guus Hiddink, Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal, Frenchman Bruno Metsu, former Ghana coach Ratomir Djukovic and former England caretaker coach Peter Taylor.

Serbia select Johannesburg for base

Serbia will use Johannesburg as their base for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ finals, the country's football federation has said.

Serbia are in Group D with Germany, Australia and Ghana.

Their base for the 11 June - 11 July finals, close to the University of Johannesburg, is around 40 kilometres from Loftus stadium in Pretoria, where Serbia open their campaign against Ghana on 13 June.

Source: FIFA.com

Capello planning for Euro mission

Fabio Capello has vowed to remain as England coach until 2012. The Italian's £6m-a-year contract with the FA has an escape clause that would allow either party to call time on the agreement after the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Given the astounding reversal in fortunes - from not even making UEFA Euro 2008 to being installed as third favourites for the biggest prize in the game - it is difficult to conceive the FA would rip the deal up.

There has been a sneaking suspicion that Capello might though. The theory goes that the 63-year-old is not entirely keen on life in London, misses the day-to-day involvement of being a club boss and, considering his lack of affinity to the England cause, would prefer to head home. In fact, Capello loves his life and his job.

He has repeatedly stressed the England manager's post was the only international role he wanted, that the challenge of re-invigorating the Three Lions was much more appealing even than coaching Italy, whose four FIFA World Cup triumphs give them a status sadly lacking in England. And, as he looks ahead to next week's UEFA Euro 2012 draw in Warsaw, Capello confirmed he has no plans to quit.

Zuma: World Cup good for business

South African President Jacob Zuma has used the gathering of the 2010 World Economic Forum in Switzerland to highlight South Africa’s 2010 FIFA World Cup readiness.

President Zuma told delegates that the tournament offered an opportunity for the world to see and experience Africa in a different way.

“We are also here at Davos during an exciting year for South Africa. We will in a few months host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the biggest event of its kind to have ever taken place in South Africa and in Africa.

“It is an opportunity to tackle stereotypes and preconceptions about the continent, and explore new frontiers of interaction and cooperation. It is an important milestone in the regeneration of the continent,” he said.

Lampard: England can win it

Frank Lampard is adamant England will not get swept up in the hype surrounding their prospects at this year's FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa.

England may have won the FIFA World Cup just once, on home soil in 1966, but every subsequent appearance they have made at a major football tournament has sparked hopes of a similar outcome among their fans. Chelsea midfielder Lampard was a member of the England squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany where the team lost in the quarter-finals to Portugal after some players had suggested they could win the event.

During Fabio Capello's two years in charge of England the team has undergone a major upsurge in fortunes, from failing to qualify for UEFA EURO 2008 under former boss Steve McClaren to FIFA World Cup contenders. But the Italian is not one for getting carried away and friendly defeats by Brazil, France and Spain have served to reinforce awareness of the scale of the task facing England in South Africa.

Meanwhile Lampard is confident England have learnt their lessons from four years ago. "There's an inner confidence within the squad but I don't think we're thinking about winning the trophy. We've been here before," he said. "The experienced players who have been here before know that it doesn't really matter what you say before the tournament or what your form's like a few months before the tournament, what really matters is how you play when you get there.

With the squad we have got and the way we have played, we are doing everything right but when we go there we have to do everything right thereEngland midfielder Frank Lampard.
"You get asked the question a million times - 'Can you win it?' and the obvious answer is 'Yes we can if we are playing well,' but you have to go there and win it. With the squad we have got and the way we have played, we are doing everything right but when we go there we have to do everything right there."

Lampard - the guest of honour at a Football Writers' Association dinner in London on Sunday - knows that at the age of 31 this is likely to be his last FIFA World Cup. "This year is a big year for me," he said. "It's obviously a World Cup year so it's career defining. If we were to go there and win it then who knows what would happen after that?"

Before the World Cup gets underway in June, Lampard has the chance to win yet more club honours with Chelsea, the Premier League leaders. "I don't think I'll become distracted by the World Cup," said Lampard, who has been capped 76 times by England.

"When I play for my club you get into the zone about playing club football. I don't look too far ahead. It's nice when the draw comes around, you get excited and when it gets nearer you get more excited but there's too much going on at Chelsea, it's too important.

"We are in everything at the moment so we are focused completely on that. Hopefully when it comes to the end of the season I'll be confident after winning things with Chelsea and go to the World Cup."

Source: FIFA.com

Durban Stadium raises the bar

The newly-built Durban Stadium, which sits on the shores of the Indian Ocean, has received rave reviews from both local and international media - and no wonder.

The stadium, which is now completed and ready for football, is one of ten that will stage the world’s greatest sporting event at the tip of the African continent in June. And the arena, otherwise known as the Moses Mabhida Stadium, is clearly well worthy of this honour.

Undoubtedly, one of its most iconic features stadium is its much-talked about cable car. By this means, visitors can ascend to a viewing platform at the top of the expansive 350m arch, a staggering 106m above the pitch. From this vantage point, it is possible to experience spectacular panoramic views over the ocean and the city.

Spector's long road home

(FIFA.com) Friday 1 January 2010
Injuries are unavoidable in football. As the modern game becomes even faster and tighter, with less and less time on the ball and space on the pitch, the demands on the body become greater and greater. Every player, at some point, will need to deal with an injury. And while some are luckier, only made to endure niggling muscle strains or painful knocks, others face multiple injuries, one after another, forcing long stretches out of the game, requiring massive doses of mental strength and discipline. USA and West Ham United man Jonathan Spector recently spoke with FIFA.com about his personal experience with big injuries and long, agonising stretches on the sidelines.

Spector, 23, was in fine fettle when the Americans shocked the world to reach the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa last June, but national team fans could have been forgiven for thinking the brawny, blond-haired back was a new member of Bob Bradley’s squad. Missing out on all of 2006 and most of 2008, Spector – once a shining young star for the future – was forced to deal with a seemingly endless succession of cruel injuries that kept him out of action for the majority of the last three seasons for both club and country.

Switzerland hit the big time

Little country – big progress. In footballing terms, this is a fair reflection of what Switzerland managed to achieve in 2009. Their various national teams have obtained some excellent results over the past 12 months, confirming many years of hard work and perhaps even ushering in a new golden era for the Central Europeans.

Qualification for the sport's greatest tournament, a youth team crowned as world champions and appearance in a beach soccer final – what a year Switzerland has had. It is difficult to rank these achievements in terms of importance since all of them were well received by their fans back home, but booking their ticket for their ninth FIFA World Cup™ and their third in a row was positive proof that Swiss football is a force to be reckoned with.

A poor showing for Switzerland in their home tournament – the UEFA EURO 2008 – marked the end of Kobi Kuhn's tenure as coach, but rather than let the team slide into decline, the powers-that-be at the national association took a bold step in handing over the reins to one of the most respected coaches in Europe, Germany's Ottmar Hitzfeld. "The General" proceeded to get off to a catastrophic start, losing to minnows Luxemburg in a South Africa 2010™ qualifier, but the former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich coach soon righted the ship and steered his troops to the top of Group 2 in the European zone, taking the direct route to the forthcoming FIFA World Cup.

Golden Shoe Award

The Golden Shoe award the top scorer in World Cup FIFA.

The award was presented at the World Cup's 1930th FIFA World Cup 1994 in the United States was the first time that the silver boots and bronze awards were added to the second and reward the best scorer in the third tournament.Since 1994, when more than one player with the same set of goals, the tie-breaker goes to the player) has helped the most assists (with the Technical Study Group of FIFA to decide whether aid should be regarded as such. If ever a player, the tie-breaker goes to the player who has played the least time.